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1987 Map of Rye Patch Dam

Name: 1987 Topographic Map of Rye Patch Dam
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1987
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1987

About this map

Rye Patch Reservoir dominates this Pershing County landscape, formed by the Rye Patch Dam along the course of the Humboldt River. This 1980s survey captures a transition between the high desert's industrial past and its modern recreational role. To the east, the foothills of the Humboldt Range show active and historic mining sites such as the Oreana Mine and Little Tungsten Mine near Rocky Canyon, while the western slopes of the Trinity Range remain sparsely developed.

Transportation corridors define the valley floor, where the Southern Pacific railroad and a modern pipeline run parallel to the water. A significant historical layer is preserved in the west, where the Emigrant Trail snakes through the terrain, marking the path of 19th-century travelers. The Rye Patch State Recreation Area and its Campground indicate the area's mid-century shift toward public leisure centered around the reservoir.